The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1887-10-30
Countess NalOla.
BY wILKIE COLLINS.
THE FIRST PART.
CHAPTER +


In the year 1850 the reputation Of DR.. Wy
brow a. London physician reached its
highest point II was reported on good
authority that he was in receipt Of one Of the
largest incomes derived from the practice Of
medicine in modern times.
One afternoon, toward the close Of the Lon
don season. the doctor had just taken his
luncheon after a specially hard mornings
work i'm his consulting room, and with a,
formidable list Of visits to patients at their
own houses to I'll up the rest Of his day
shen the servant announced that a lady
wished 10 speak TO him.
"Who j, shef the doctor asked "a
stranger
"Yes. sir
Il see no strangers out Of consulting hours
Tell her what the hours are end send her
away"
Il have told her, s'r.
aMeilT
'And 81 won't GO
won't go~ The doctor smiled as he re-
seate,l the words He was a humOrist in ms
wav: and there was an absurd side 70 the
situation which rather amused him. HAS
,his obstinate lady given you her name" he
inquired
NO. sir Sine refused to give any name
.he said she wouldn't keep you five minutes,
and the matter was too important 10 wait til
tomorrow. There she is IN the consulting
room. and how 10 get her out again Is more
than know.
DIR. Wybrow considered Tor a moment
His knowledge Of women professionally
speakncl rested ON the ripe experience of
more than thirty years he had met with
them in all their yarieiies-cspecaiiy the
variety which knows nothing OF the value OF
time. and never hesitaies at shelterng itself
behind tine privileges of its sex a glance at
mis- watch informed him that be must soon
begin bis rounds among the patients who
we're waiting for him az theirow houses. lie
decided forthwith ON taking the only wise
course that was opened under the circum-
stances. In other words me- decided on taking
10 flight
oIs the carriage at the door," be asked.
ayes, sir
VERY well Open the house door for mo
without making any noise, and leave the
adv i'm uudisturbed possession Of the consult
NO room When she get, tired Of waiting,
you know what 70 tell her II she asks when
am expected 20 return, say that | dine at
ny club and spend the evening at the
theatre. Now, then softly Thomas II
your shoes creak, am a lost man
He noislessy led the way into the hall, fol
owed by the servant on tiptoe.
Did the lady in the consulting room sus
,ect biml on did Thomas shoes creak, and
sas her sense Of hearing unusually keeni
Whatever the explanation may be, the event
hat actually happened was beyond all doubt
Exactly as Dr. Wybrow passed bis consult
tng room. the door opcned-thc lady appeared
m the threshold-and laid her hand on his
arm
Il entreat YOU, sir not % go away without
citing me speak 10 you first
The accent was foreign, the tone Wa low
and firm Her fingers closed gently, ann yet
resolutely. or the doctors arm
Neither her language nor her action had
she slightest effect in iuciinlug him TO grant
her request The influence that instantly
stopped him. on the way 10 his carriage. was
he silent influence of her face The startling
contrast between the corp,elike palior of her
complexion and the oyerpowering life and
iarre black eyes. held him literally spell
bound She was dressed IN dark colors with
perfec, taste: she was of middle height. and
apparently OF middle ase-say "a year or
swo over 80 Her lower features-the nose
mouth and chiu-p0,sessed the ilnenes. ana
ielicacy Of form which is otteuer seen among
women Of foreign races than among women
IF English birth Sine was uuquesiionably
handsome persOu-with the one serious draw
back of her CHASTITY complexion, ana with the
.ess noticeable defect of a total want Of tender
ness I'm the expression of her eyes Apart
from his first emotion of surprise, the feeling
She produced in the doctor may be described
A. an overpowemng feeling of professional
curiosity. The case might prove TO be some
Thing entirely new in hi, professional expert
ance 1T looks Ike IT," be thought "and it's
worth waiting for
She perceived thai she had produced
strong impression Of some kind upon him,
and dropped her hold on his arm.
"You have comforted many miserable
somen in your time sue said. Comfort
,ne today
without waiting 10 be answered she lei the
way back into the room.
The doctor followed her and closed the
ioor. He placed her in the patients chair,
,puosite the windows Even in London the
sun. on that summer afternoon, was daz
zlingly bright The radiant light flowed IN
on her. Her eyes met II unilinchngly, with
he steely steadiness Of the eyes Of an eagle.
The smooth palor of her unwrinkled skin
looked more fearfully white than ever. For
the first time in many long year past the
doctor felt his pulse quicken its beat in the
sesence of a patient.
LGy E1